Advanced Solutions
Innovative Barrel Handling
Discover our innovative automation solutions designed specifically for barrel and cask handling. We streamline filling, transport, and movement, providing efficiency and precision in your operations.
Advanced Barrel Escalator and Lifting Systems in Tennessee and Kentucky
Moving barrels is more than a step in the production process, it’s a craft in itself. ASI specializes in advanced barrel escalator and lifting systems that support the real-world needs of distilleries across Kentucky and the world.
Whether you’re transporting totes, lifting heavy oak barrels into rickhouses, or managing bottling lines, our material handling equipment is engineered for durability, precision, and long-term performance.
We’ve worked with major names in the whiskey industry, like Brown Forman, Diageo, Wild Turkey, Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, and Jim Beam to name a few to improve how barrels are moved, stored, and managed. Our solutions are trusted by those who know the value of time, consistency, and safe, efficient labor. We also work with rum and scotch distilleries around the world.
Our Barrel Racking and Handling Solutions
Cask racking requires more than basic shelving. It must adapt to different barrel types, product variants, and production volumes. ASI offers fully customized solutions that scale with your operation. We partner with Speedrack Midwest in Sparta, MI.
Our systems are designed to:
- Work seamlessly with barrel lifters, barrel hoists, and powered conveyors
- Prevent stress on barrels and stainless steel drums
- Handle everything from small batch to large-scale throughput
Each conveyor we build is configured for your layout and throughput goals. Whether you’re working in tight quarters or across multiple production lines, we build conveyor systems that match your facility’s flow.
Installation Services
Our installation services ensure that your barrel and cask escalators are set up properly and efficiently. We handle everything from initial assessment to complete installation, guaranteeing smooth operation from the start.
Maintenance Solutions
We provide comprehensive maintenance solutions to keep your escalators running smoothly. Regular inspections and timely repairs will extend the life of your equipment and enhance productivity.
Customization Options
Our team offers personalized customization options to ensure your escalators meet your specific needs. From size adjustments to feature enhancements, we tailor solutions just for you.
Seamless Operations with Barrel Handling Conveyors
Barrel handling conveyor systems should do more than transport goods. They should enhance how you manage materials. ASI designs conveyor systems that combine chain conveyors, live roller conveyors, belt conveyors, and gravity roller conveyor sections, into a single, streamlined line.
Each solution is built for durability, especially in facilities where black pepper humidity, spills, and seasonal changes can affect performance. We use stainless steel components when necessary and prioritize low-maintenance features across the board.
In production lines, conveyor belt systems play a key role in transport and staging. Whether it’s a tote, drum, or single barrel of aged product, our conveyor systems offer the reliability and scalability you need.
No matter the scale, we adapt conveyor technology to serve the specific needs of the alcohol industry. When distilleries need modular conveyor systems that work across bottling lines, racking systems, and escalator warehouses, they turn to ASI.
Built Around the Realities of Distilling
While a cask and a barrel are similar, they aren’t always the same. A barrel often refers to a 53-gallon standard oak container used in bourbon production. A cask can vary in size and is often used in aging rye whiskey, wine, or experimental small batch spirits.
Cask strength, or barrel proof, is used to describe whiskey that’s bottled at the alcohol level it reached while aging. This contributes to a deeper, spicier flavor profile often described as rich in rye spice or notes of vanilla and black pepper. Proper handling throughout this process ensures the integrity of the product.
Why Invest in a Cask Escalator?
Increased Speed and Output
Automating a rolling conveyor system significantly reduces cycle times, allowing for faster product movement and higher overall throughput.
Fewer Manual Steps, Less Labor Dependency
By streamlining repetitive tasks, powered roller and driven roller conveyors reduce the need for manual handling—improving consistency while lowering labor costs.
Improved Workflow and Workplace Safety
Conveyor automation minimizes forklift traffic and manual transport, resulting in safer work environments and better operational flow.
Adaptable to New Products and Processes
These systems are designed for flexibility, making it easy to switch between product types or workflows with minimal downtime or retooling.
Continuous Motion = Continuous Efficiency
Automated conveyors ensure uninterrupted material flow, helping facilities avoid costly stops, delays, or inconsistent output.
Minimized Downtime and Bottlenecks
Intelligent material handling reduces points of friction in your process—boosting uptime and keeping your production line moving.
Scalable Solutions for Tennessee Manufacturers
Whether you’re a small operation or a large-scale manufacturer, our automation systems grow with your business—supporting long-term scalability across Tennessee and beyond.
Key Benefits of Our Escalators
Our escalators provide multiple advantages designed to enhance your operations. From increased efficiency in transporting goods to improved safety standards, we ensure that your equipment meets the highest quality benchmarks. Moreover, our systems minimize wait times and streamline workflows, ultimately boosting productivity.
Efficiency
Our escalators optimize the transportation of materials, reducing time and effort. This leads to quicker operations and helps maintain a steady workflow throughout your facility.
Safety
Safety is our top priority. Our escalators are designed with advanced safety features to protect both your staff and your products during transport, giving you peace of mind as you operate.
Trusted in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Beyond
Our barrel handling systems are used in some of the most respected distilleries in the region. Whether you’re working with 10 Year Cask Strength or crafting a new rye blend, your facility deserves conveyor systems that perform. We serve operations of all sizes, from legacy brands with multiple bottling lines to emerging producers experimenting with small batch spirits. Our designs accommodate everything from square footage constraints to fluctuating barrel sizes.
Our process begins with a site evaluation, followed by detailed layout planning. We design a conveyor system or automation system that fits your space, workload, and growth goals. We can also integrate with your existing automation system, ensuring backward compatibility and long-term performance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Your Questions Answered About Escalator Solutions
We provide a variety of escalator systems tailored to different industries, including customized solutions for barrel and cask handling. Reach out to our team for detailed options.
Our escalators are equipped with advanced safety features that ensure the secure transport of goods, minimizing risks to both employees and equipment.
Our maintenance plans include regular inspections, quick repairs, and personalized support to ensure your escalators operate smoothly and reliably.
Yes, we offer various customization options to tailor the escalator system to your specific requirements, ensuring it fits seamlessly into your workflow.
Installation typically varies based on the project scope, but our experienced team works efficiently to minimize downtime and ensure a smooth setup.
We offer continuous support and troubleshooting for our systems, including user training and quick-response assistance to address any challenges you might face.
All our escalator systems comply with industry safety standards and have the necessary certifications to assure quality and reliability.
Our solutions cater to a wide range of industries, including food and beverage production, logistics, and warehousing, enhancing their handling processes.
We adhere to strict quality control processes at every stage of production, ensuring our escalator systems maintain the highest standards of performance and safety.
Absolutely! Feel free to schedule a demonstration with our team to see our escalator systems in action at your convenience.
We offer a comprehensive warranty on all our escalator systems, covering parts and labor for a specified period to ensure your peace of mind.
Yes, our escalator systems can be seamlessly integrated into your existing handling processes, allowing for a smoother transition and enhanced workflow.
Take the Next Step
Unlock your potential with our superior automation solutions. Contact us today to discuss how we can support your barrel handling operations effectively.